About this record

Uluru is a large rock formation sacred to the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Anangu, the Aboriginal peoples of the area.

It was given the English name ‘Ayers Rock’ in 1873 by surveyor William Gosse, but a dual naming policy in 1993 renamed the landmark ‘Ayers Rock/Uluru’ and, in 2002, ‘Uluru/Ayers Rock’. 

This photo was taken on the day when the deeds of Uluru National Park (now Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park) were handed back to the Anangu Traditional Owners. This was a milestone in land rights for First Australians. 

In the background of this photo is a mural painted by Chips Mackinolty. The image, in yellow, black and red, is inspired by the Aboriginal flag, with the usual central image of a circular yellow sun replaced by a yellow image of Uluru.

The Pitjanjatjara welcome 'Pukulpa pitjama, Ananguku ngurakutu' is inscribed above the image of Uluru. Below the image are the words ‘Welcome to Aboriginal land’ and the date 1985.